John Petersen spent 20 years of his professional life doing public relations for the United States Navy. Petersen traveled the world, meeting foreign dignitaries and heads of state. Considering the difficult tasks and important people he met, one wouldn’t think he would be intimidated by a piece of paper. But every April, Petersen faces his fears head on – other people’s tax forms.
                                                             

Petersen is a volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. VITA helps families who make under $40,000 a year file their taxes for free with the help of a trained preparer. 

Petersen first heard about the VITA program as a member of the Provo Rotary Club’s service committee. When Petersen heard about the work that VITA does for the community, he knew it would be a good fit with the mission of Rotary: service above self. 

“It fit us perfectly,” Petersen said. “Something we white-collar workers can do in our spare time. I liked the idea of helping low-income people recover tax money; that’s why I stay involved.”

Petersen is going on his second year with VITA.  Previous to his time as a volunteer, he was the one receiving tax assistance.

“I did my own taxes for a while with the guidance of others,” Petersen said. “Now I know what’s going on.”

VITA provides all of its volunteers with an extensive training program, so Petersen hit the books to try and crack the IRS code, or at least become a certified tax preparer.

“The training and the material provided from the IRS through VITA is very comprehensive,” Petersen said.

The training the volunteers go through is essential to understand the principals behind the tax code. Volunteers are trained to look for tax credits to boost the amount of money that each family receives in their return. However, the volunteers benefit from the help of user-friendly tax software called TaxWise.

“What really helps is TaxWise, it is so automated,” Petersen said. “All you have to do is type the right information in the right box.”

When asked for advice for volunteers who were worried about lack of experience with the tax code, Petersen’s recommendation was this: “Don’t worry, pass the test. TaxWise will get you through the rest.”

Volunteers like Petersen are what make VITA available to Utah County residents. Over the past three years alone, VITA has helped Utah County receive over $8 million in tax returns. This money is not only a boost for the people getting the returns, it is a way to help stimulate the local economy. 

Last year, VITA brought a record $4.5 million back to the community, almost double the previous high. Petersen expressed his pleasure in being involved in the record-breaking year.

“I’m pleased with the results of the last year,” Petersen said.

Last tax season, 200 volunteers helped low- and middle-income families file for their tax returns. In addition to the Rotary Club, Brigham Young University and Utah Community Credit Union are excellent sources for volunteers. Per hour, volunteers bring an average of $1,200 to the individuals and families they work with.

VITA provides a service to the local community that brings much-needed dollars back into the pockets of those who need it most. Petersen has found the work he does with VITA very fulfilling.